Pyramid of Biomass

The slightest imbalance in the ecosystem can lead to hazardous effects to all forms of living being. This has been altered before and is now evident with the prevailing global warming effects. Emergency methods to solve the problem are being sort with the head of states holding meetings to come up with the most reliable solution to the menace.

The biomass has been known to be the best alternative to the fossil fuels and many other energy sources. This has considerably helped in improving the world’s climatic conditions around the globe. New developments are being made and better methods of getting the best and cleanest energy from the biomass are being sort. Great benefits have been found from the use of biomass among them being the reduction of waste to get a cleaner environment, cost effectiveness and the best method to address global warming.

Definition of Biomass Pyramid

The Pyramid of Biomass is a graphical representation that depicts the extent of biomass per unit area within different trophic levels in an ecological system. The bottom level of the representation is usually occupied by the producers whereas the carnivals are shown in the top levels.

Pyramid of Biomass

The name of the pyramid biomass comes from the fact that it is represented in the pyramid form. Their energy capacity is usually concentrated at the base, which is represented as being wide and decreases as one move up to the apex. The pyramid is used as a manner of clarifying the movement of the biomass as well as the energy through the ecosystem.

The manner of Pyramid of Biomass representation is based on the thermodynamics. The law states that energy can never be destroyed and neither can it be created. Energy can only be transferred from one form to another. The pyramid represents the animals that eat plants, then those that eat the grass eating animals and then those that eat the animals feeding on other animals. The last step is the decomposers. The energy is hence transferred through the chain and converted in the biomass.

Types of Pyramid of Biomass

There are basically two types of the Biomass Pyramid: the inverted and the upright. The pyramid is basically a representation of the relation between the biomass and the trophic/ productive levels.

The measurements used in measuring the energy in the Pyramid of Biomass are in calories per square meter. This can also be done using the grams per square meter. The pyramid shows the energy production in every productive level. It has also been used in showing the energy flow via every level accurately. This is the aspect that gives it the name ‘The energy pyramid’.

The biomass in the Pyramid of Biomass decreases progressively from the lower levels heading to the higher ones. When used in the aquatic animals, the inversion is dependent on the reproductively as well as the longevity. Care has therefore to be taken when choosing the right method when preparing a biomass.